JM Ringuet Interview Artist Sparks and Transhuman

JM Rinquet was kind enough to do a second interview with us. I enjoy hearing JM’s views as I think what he has to say about commercial art and how it is changing is interesting and important. The digital age continues to change the way we do and look at everything.

JM is currently the artist on two books that I’m enjoying a lot and obviously his art work is a part of that enjoyment. To see previews of Sparks and examples of his work on that book go here. For a five page preview of Transhuman go here. Finally to see other work by JM check out his own website here.

Jim: JM, Sparks and Transhuman are both in the home stretch, have you completed work on both books?

JM: I've just started working on Issue #6 of Sparks which is jumbo sized, over thirty pages of noir drama and twists and flashbacks galore. I'm also starting on Transhuman Issue #4, so that's a lot of things happening at the same time but I'm used to it, and I'm always trying to work faster and better. I streamlined my process even more. Freelancing is all about streamlining.

Jim: Have you changed your approach or how you work during the course of these projects?

JM: Yes because I'm always trying to learn something, learning from my mistakes and what I could do better, more efficiently. For example I switched to doing everything digitally now (sorry about those original pages I won't be able to sell) which allows me more fluidity and more focus. Instead of having three distinct processes (penciling, inking and coloring) which was a bit artificial I now have only one long coherent process that starts in Photoshop with thumbnails and ends in Photoshop with a finished colored page. Only one space (one program) where everything grows more organically. Hopefully that will also make my pages look better.

Jim: So if everything is digital and you have no originals to sell does that impact on what a job is worth? And what is original art in the digital age?

JM: I don't think that it changes the value of the work because a comic page is made to be printed and read and then probably thrown away. Collecting original comic art is just a side thing that does not really bring anything to the industry in my opinion. I'm producing art to be printed so that's only what matters to me. More and more artists are moving to 'all digital'.

Jim: By going all digital in some ways it is returning comics back to how it used back in the early years. One last process question and excuse my ignorance as I'm not an artist, but I'm curious to understand how things work. You said that it is more of an organic process by doing it all digitally. Do you save your work as different files along the way so that if you decide to edit your work so you have early stages to start from? I guess I'm asking to give me a little more detail in how you would do a page of art totally on the computer.

JM:: It's not really about having multiple versions (and I really save only one version by the way), it's more about being able to do only what's necessary and nothing more. For example if I am penciling on paper I can have a tendency to draw things tighter that they are needed at the inking stage just because I want the penciled page to look good. On the computer I can start inking one panel even if the others panels are not penciled yet. Another example is if I make a size mistake at the penciling stage on paper I have to erase and redraw, on the computer I can just resize, move things around, change the framing very easily. That's how it makes creation more dynamic, more fluid. Nothing is ever 'set' when it's digital, it can be manipulated and adjusted to have the best effect.

I think pretty soon we're going to get very thin very responsive screen tablets that mimic drawing or painting on paper very closely and we will see all graphic artists, including comic artists, going digital. I think we are just starting to see how far the digital tools can go, it's a historical turning point of sort. When I was a kid people were still doing everything on paper, inking over graphite lines, erasing, painting with inks or watercolors, lettering with a pen... now it all seems a bit quaint. Comics are mass production entertainment, and I have to think of my art as production. A tool to entertainment people but not an end in itself. It really makes sense to use all the available tools to be able to produce quality in the right amount of time. My advice to a young artist (if I can give any advice) is to study and master the digital tools.

Jim: As a freelancer you have to always be working towards your next job. With Transhuman and Sparks winding down, what is next on your horizon?

JM: I'm doing some coloring jobs, like Death and the Man Who Would Not Die for Spacedog and Top Cow, some concept art for videogames and music videos, and I'm preparing some pitches to submit soon (my own writing and my own art). I have some solid ideas I think, stuff that's different in many ways. And I have a handful of offers for work for hire jobs. I'm always looking for jobs anyway, there is always more time for cool projects.

Jim: You live in China now. Even with it being a digital world is it harder to get your proposals to the right people and are you focused only on American comics at this time?

JM: I can't really attend conventions, so that could make things more difficult for me, I'm not sure. I don't really meet publishers or editors face to face, and I don't have a lot of contacts in the industry. I'm sure it's easier for local artists to get contacts. On the other hand there are some really good open publishers like Image that always allow people to pitch ideas even if they don't know them and live half a world apart. I think that's one of the strengths of Image and why they keep publishing great original material: they accept unsolicited submissions and make the effort to find new creators. I regret that a lot of other publishers do not do the same. They just shoot themselves in the foot.

At the moment I'm only focused on American comics. The three big markets for comics in my opinion are the US, France and Japan. France has a rather inbred creator-rights unfriendly system that I don't really like. Japan is mostly closed to anything that is not culturally linked to Japan. The US comic industry is by far the best for any creator. The only problem is distribution. While successful creators in France or Japan can sell tons of books, it's still almost impossible to reach a big audience in the US if you're not Alan Moore or Frank Miller. If the industry can find a parallel alternative to the direct market through major bookstores (like in France) or magazine type distribution (like in Japan) it can become the best and biggest thing in the world. I think comic readers and comic creators in America are the most diverse and enthusiastic. America invented comics and modern sequential story telling, and there is more innovation happening with US indie publishers than anywhere else.

Jim: Vertigo is started a new line of Crime graphic novels. I have always felt that in a fair contest many independent projects or non-super hero books could win the sales war, but the direct market is an uphill climb for a smaller publisher. In a perfect world how would you promote your product to try and break through the barriers we have in the market place?

JM: My current opinion about this question (and this could change at any point in the future) is I think going through bookstores (brick and mortar and online) and comic shops at the same time in a graphic novel format (over 100 pages). Translated manga are popular because they are sold in big bookstores at a reasonable price. Sure there are other reasons they're selling well but I think they would never do as well if they were only available in small specialty shops (as most comic shops are).

So the way to do it would be for big book publishers to enter the comic market seriously, give advances to creators (like they do to any novel writer), not take too much of the rights and make a marketing push through bookstore chains so they stock up on comic titles.

The best way to publicize those books would be to put some chapters, or even the whole graphic novel, for free on the net. It has been proven that this work very well. Comparing the sales and the size of population with France for example (where all comics are sold in regular bookstores) I think the sales of independant non-superhero continuity titles could be multiplied by 5 or 6. So Matt Fraction's Casanova would sell maybe 30,000 or 40,000 copies instead of the criminally low numbers it's doing now.

I think what Vertigo is doing with that new line of graphic novels is a great idea. If they can push the books aggressively in regular bookstores I'm sure they are going to win over a lot of new readers. And frankly at that point in time what comics have to do is to gain more and more readers. It's not right that millions of people want to see comicbook movies but just a handful buy comicbooks. There is a real problem there that has nothing to do with the medium but the way it is delivered. Can you imagine if Stephen King was selling 5000 copies of each of his novels but his movies were making hundred of millions? That's just absurd.

Jim: It is absurd. I have a theory that the industry has almost created barriers against its own success. Hopefully with comic book movies making over $1.2 Billion dollars this year just to August we may see some larger publishers start to enter the fray and take US comics to a new level.

You said you have some ideas as writer and artist. It seems like a natural progression for you to go from coloring, to the art to writing as each one brings a greater level of control to the final product.

How has your experience with Sparks and Transhuman been different?

JM: Each book has a very distinctive flavor to it as Sparks is a film noir and Transhuman is almost a documentary.
I approached the books differently, especially for the art style.

For Sparks I wanted to do something a little bit reminiscent of the Golden Age, a rigid grid, no full bleed, no weird shaped panels, everything very classic. I opted for clear lineart with no inked shadows because I wanted to create all the light effects at the painting stage. I guess I could have gone with classic blacks like Alex Toth but the coloring would have looked different. I also made some choices with the writer to have a lot of rain, fog, snow, and overcast skies, nothing bright, to reflect the internal feelings of the main character.

For Transhuman I actually started with a style that was simpler, more Tim Sale and probably 'funnier', but reading the script I realized that it wouldn't work. So just before I started drawing the first issue I shifted to a more realistic style, an exagerated look, almost carricature. I also wanted the book to look like one of those late 70s documentaries on rather bad film stock, with a shift toward yellow, scratches and dirt on the lens. And I make sure to frame every panel as if it was shot by a camera, either on a stand or carried on the shoulder. Even on wide shots like in Issue 2 where we see a boat from a distance I put in the frame the rope that links the dingey where the 'camera man' is sitting in, being trailed by the yacht. I wanted the 'camera' to be a presence. I'm not sure a lot of people will see this though. I got a lot of complaints that the book look static even if that's the idea we were going for. It's pure mockumentary in comic form. 'The Office' also looks static because that's the concept. It's difficult to not rub people the wrong way with style. Introducing something new is always risky. As Todd McFarlane was saying when he started working on Spiderman everybody wanted him to draw like the previous artist, but when he left the book they wanted the new artist to draw like McFarlane. I'm not Todd but I try new things all the time.

On every project I work on I try to change the art style and adapt it to the story, from the lines themselves, to the way I ink, and then color the page. There are so many different graphic choices an artist can make to create an atmosphere. That's always my goal: find the right atmosphere to immerse the reader in a different world.

Jim: In fact the choices are probably wider with some much being available with it all being digital. How do you know when to leave it alone and say a page is finished?

JM: It's a matter of time. Comics are mostly about time: how much time can I spend on one page? It's a good way to limit the tweaking that could go on forever. I have to have a clear idea of where I want to go and when I'm there it's done. I can't afford to do and redo and try different things or it would take me weeks to produce a page and that's not good for anybody. The most important thing for a freelancer is good scheduling.

Jim: So I was checking out your blog site and noticed some Burroughs Mars stuff. First off I love that series and read that to me daughters when they were growing up and now they both still love it. Is that work for a project or what?

JM: I was reading the first 3 books of the John Carter series and I thought it was a bit difficult to picture the creatures from the story, and a lot of illustrations of the Tharks for example looked a bit silly. So I decided to do my own version, following really closely the description in the text, and since I do concept art from time to time I decided to do some nice finished pieces for my portfolio (I think Pixar should hire me to do the concept art for the upcoming movie, no really). I'm not the biggest fan of those books but they are very enjoyable and Burroughs had a wild imagination. I wouldn't mind working on some project based on the series.

Jim: Any advice for people trying to break in the business? And where will we see your work next?

JM: I think the main thing is that nobody really 'breaks' into comics. I think a lot of people have this crazy idea that they can draw some pages, show them to an editor at a convention and then bam! three weeks later they're drawing Wolverine or Batman and going to Comicon to sign autographs. It doesn't work like that. As an artist you have to draw a lot pages (and I say pages, not pinups) with your own style, your own sensibility, your own uniqueness and put them in front of people, maybe doing a webcomic, or some anthology, or even a fanzine if those still exist. Find a writer and do your own stuff, something you really like, something you have fun with. Then people will noticed it and slowly (or not so slowly) you will get some offers, you'll build up on them, you will get better and some day you will reach your goals.

It's a process, it's a process that takes a bit of time (but it's not that long if you are talented AND different), it's progressive. Like Rick Remender said it can take 10 years to be an overnight success. The main thing is you have to be original, you have to be different, in a word you have to be YOU. If you try to be like someone else, or as good as someone else, you will never go very far. Even if you want to draw Wolverine or Batman, editors will hire you because they want to see your take on the character, not because you can do a reasonable imitation of whomever is drawing them now. Paul Pope did a great Batman because he wasn't trying to do it in any other way than his own way. So to conclude, be yourself, be patient, be hard working, be passionate. If you're good at all that you will be working in comics for sure. Don't think about 'breaking in', think about 'working in'.

I'm not sure where you will be seeing my work next. Catastrophic Comics approached me to do another project so that's a possibility, and I'm also doing coloring for a variety of things. One of my future projects is called Supercharger, a hi-octane (litterally) chase accross the South-West with hotrods, hot girls, demons and rock n' roll action, a 4 issue miniseries that is not far from being signed by an indie publisher. I have some pages on my blog and I got some really nice comments from the likes of Matt Fraction or Ivan Brandon so hopefully it doesn't suck when I'm done with it.

I also have 3 more pitches almost ready, stuff that's pretty original (no ninjas, no zombies), different from a lot of things out there, packed, very dense, with a little bit of a subtext. Stuff that's good on the eyes but reads well, hopefully. I will be able submit those to various publishers very soon and maybe start on something in October for an early next year release. I am also open to do some work for hire. I would like 2009 to be a special year. Keep checking my blog at http://jmringuet.blogspot.com/ to know more.

JM thanks for all your time in talking to us and I will be looking for your name in the credits. I think we will be hearing a lot from JM in the years to come.

Best to Worst of Last Week

A lot of good comics this week, but my top book while an excellent book was not a show stopper. But that I mean it didn’t just blow me away with an OMG that was great. I’m also suffering from a little bit of a burn out as I have been overwhelmed with a bunch of side things that are going on and comics have taken a back seat this week.

I know I usually do my little commentary on Monday, but the thought just struck me today is why is the back issue market have as much life as it does. I know that it is not as active and thriving as it once was, but it still seems to do a decent business. I guess since I have moved to hard covers and I send all my new books away I see no real reason to deal with back issues. The only time I bother is when I want to read an old series I missed or already sold and I go out and buy it, if I can get it cheap. My question runs to are there that many people still looking to buy back issues, after all since E-Bay the market is pretty saturated. I’m not talking about true collectibles like stuff from the sixties, but at least since nineties and before that stuff is pretty much everywhere.

Madame Xanadu #3 – Writer Matt Wagner, Pencils Amy Reeder Hadley, Inks Richard Friend, Colors Guy Major I have already fallen in love with this series. The artwork is unbelievable, Amy’s pencils are so clean and the book has a realistic style that is fluid and pretty. I don’t know what us to call her work, but to say the book looks great. Then the story by Wagner is also fantastic. This issue we jump ahead hundreds of years and find our heroine as the seer to the court of Kublai Khan. In order to maintain her long life now that she is human she must drink a brew that apparently has a rather foul taste. She is developing her tarot cards and meets the Phantom Stranger again, but for her this is the second meeting and for the Stranger it is their first meeting. The Stranger explains in a rather obtuse manner that he travels in time and space. The event that their lives intersect around this time is Marco Polo’s trip to the Orient and his meeting with Kublai Khan. It is rare to have a series that is so strong with both art and story, but this is one of them. It is already easily a top ten series in my opinion.

Daredevil #110 – Writers Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka, Art Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano, Colros Matt Hollingsworth. This was a fantastic conclusion to this story. Daredevil escapes from Slaughter, but finds out Dakota was shot. He starts to blame himself and Becky stops him cold and tells him to finish the job. Ultimately Big Ben is exonerated of the murders and Slaughter is told by his new CIA handler (Dakota’s Dad) to drop his illegal activity. At the end Matt seems like he has regained some of his confidence and maybe ready to stop blaming himself for Milla. Rucka and Brubaker told a story in just four issues and this arc may have been the best since Brubaker started as the writer. These guys really are a great writing team, where the sum of the parts is greater then the whole.

Batman Gotham After Midnight #4 (of 12) - Writer Steve Niles, Art Kelly Jones, Colors Michelle Marsden. I think DC has done a disservice by not allowing Elseworld stories, because this is clearly not something that is regular Batman continuity. This issue we have a giant robot controlled by Batman fighting a monstrous Clayface who has grown so large by absorbing people. Batman ultimately defeats Clayface and frees the people, but while he is doing so Midnite kills again. Kelly Jones is at his best and Niles is flat out just telling a fun over the top Batman adventure.

Final Crisis Rogue’s Revenge #2 (of 3) – Writer Geoff Johns, Art Scott Kolins, Colors Dave McCaig. This was a terrific issue. Libra has set up a new group of Rogues who have updated themselves as new versions of Captain Cold, Mirror Master and company. They tell Captain Cold they have his father and they better surrender and turn themselves into Libra. Cold gets a great line for a bad guy he tells them “I’m going to find you. I’m going to kill all of you. And then I’m going to kill my father myself.” The Rogues take down these pretenders in deadly fashion. We also get the plot point of why Libra cares if they are part of his group or not and the reason is the Rogues know the Flash and speedsters are always key to a Crisis. We also see the Zoom’s educating Inertia to use time for his speed and forcing him to become Kid Flash. A nice add-on to Final Crisis and yet you could skip it and so far it would not effect the main story.

Guerillas #1 (of 9) – By Brahm Revel. I always look forward to seeing new projects by different people and this certainly sounded interesting mixing the Viet Nam war with Chimpanzees trained to be soldiers. See my full review here.
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Final Crisis Superman Beyond #1 (of 2) – Writer Grant Morrison, Pencils Doug Mahnke, Inks Christain Almay w/Rodney Ramos, Tom Nguyen, Walden Wong and Doug Mahnke, Color David Baron. I really enjoy the 3-D concept, but now that I wear progressive lenses in my glasses 3-D books are a pain for me to read. I need to get prescription red/blue glasses. The actual story itself is rather interesting and also has a lot of Grant Morrison’s high (meant in both meanings) concepts that are not always clear to me. Essentially a Monitor grabs Superman and a few other uber-powerful beings from across the multi-verse on a mission to stop the destruction of everything. The group ends up in Limbo and is greeted by Merryman of the Inferior Five. Morrison knows every damn character in the DCU and manages to use them in some form or fashion. While trying to pick up the book of Infinity (a single book that contains all the stories of creation) Superman and a Captain Marvel see some of the history of the Monitors. The Dark Monitor (Mandrakk) has apparently risen and when Superman goes to talk to the Monitor that he traveled with we see she is a vampire who has taken the life of Overman (another Superman from the multi-verse). The story ends with Ultraman holding the book of Infinity and he sees that Evil wins. It was highly enjoyable and well drawn, but also not 100% straight forward and I’m not following every beat of this story. One thing I know about Morrison’s work is that when read in chapters it gets a little confusing at times as he crams so much into his stories, but usually when read as a whole they are excellent and the story is a lot clearer. Still on one level this is Superman trying to do what he does and that is save the world and save Lois (as the Monitor who recruited him has promised to save Lois who is only alive due to Superman’s powers helping her).

Legion of Super Heroes #45 – Writer Jim Shooter, Pencils Francis Manapul, Inks Livesay, Colors Jo Smith. There are more storylines going on in one issue of Legion than there are in many other books. We have the destroyers who have been sent from another galaxy that is now almost a background story. We have another planet that shows up in our solar system threatening to destroy everything. Brainiac 5 with Light Lass and Star Boy managed to save the solar system. We have a strange kid named M’orissey who has managed to get the Legion diplomatic immunity and pardons for any crimes. Finally we even have little character bits going on as we see Ultra Boy and Saturn Girl having a tryst. Shooter knows how to writer a large group book and make it move with a good pace and still give tons of characters spotlight time, it really is an amazing writing job. Francis Manapul’s art is decent, but I would like a stronger artist on this book and one who can handle a monthly deadline (if they exist anymore).

Hercules #5 (of 5) – Writer Steve Moore, Art Admira Wijaya, Colors Imaginary Friends Studios and Sixth Creation. This was a great ending to what I thought was a great epic that told a tale of the “real” Hercules. Bloody, violent, vicious and cruel by today’s standards, but we always impose our own value sets on people and back in Ancient Greece our ancestors were not as kind and forgiving as we at least pretend to be today. Tydeus did get his wish and managed to make a meal of Coty’s brain, but Hercules and company ultimately left they way they came, war weary and penniless.

Trinity #13 –Writer Kurt Busiek, Pencils Mark Bagley, Inks Art Thibert, Colors Pete Pantazis. Back-up Writer Kurt Busiek & Fabian Nicieza, Artists Tom Derenick & Wayne Faucher, Colors Allen Passalaqua. This book is just a wonderfully solid book each and every week. This issue we see Superman take down the CSA’s big three on his own. We see that Enigma is apparently from the CSA Universe and must be that Earth’s Riddler, which could mean he is a good guy or not. The back-up story has Oracle coordinating the efforts to stop the collection of the last item needed to allow the spell to be cast against Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. This book reads so well and the front story and back up story really work well together. While the stories are separate adventures they interweave seamlessly.

Proof #11 – By Alex Grecian & Riley Rossmo, Colors Adam Guzowski. – This series is really one of the best series on the stands. This issue Proof is being attacked by Harpies with guns and a Golem in New York is ripping apart alligators. A story telling technique was used in the first half of the book that I have never liked and that is telling one story line on the top and another on the bottom. It never works for me. Still we find out Proof has a fever and the Harpies are a fever induced dream. Unfortunately the people who have found him think he is the devil and want to kill him. Ginger in New York is trying to find the Golem for a Rabbi who recruited Ginger into the Lodge. A rock solid book that deserves your attention and you should go and buy it.

Fallen Angel #29 – Writer Peter David, Art JK Woodward. This series has picked up so much since Jude lost control of the city. Angel, Mariah and Jude are searching for the City of Life to gain allies against Moloch who has taken control of Bete Noire. This issue they are on the ocean following Jude’s feeling as they have no other way of finding the City of Life. The demon who tried to stop them before attacks again and after a pitched battle Angel manages to kill him this time. Now the three are on a raft in the middle of the ocean trying to find the City of Life. By taking this group out of Bete Noire we are really getting some great character development and David is still pushing to overall plot forward enough to keep the story moving forward. I have always enjoyed Fallen Angel, but right now this series is in an excellent groove.

Northlanders #9 – Writer Brian Woods, Art Dean Ormston. This was a wonderful tale of a young boy who is the youngest and least favorite son of his father. He is somewhere between six and eight years old and is constantly berated by his father, who perhaps blames the boy for his wife’s death as she died in child birth. His father has taken to the Christian religion and is constantly on the younger boy. The boy dreams of his Germanic mother and her gods that were a bolder and tougher lot that this Christian god. But all of this is taking place in England and I’m wondering how the Vikings play into this, when they show up as raiders on the coast toward the end of the issue. The boy in his anger towards his Dad sees them as his saviors and is leading them to the church and his home for the Viking to pillage. Both story and art well very well done and I’m looking forward to next issues conclusion.

Wildcats World’s End #2 – Writer Christos Gage, Art Neil Googe, Colors Carrie Strachan, Back-Up Writer Christos Gage, Art Brandon Badeus, Colros Jonny Rench. This series is moving along very well. We find out this issue that Majestic has set-up up Hawaii as a safe enclave since the apocalypse occurred. He is the ruler because the people ask him to be. He is building an army that he sees is the best of humanity and his race and plans to take over the Earth slowly. He is his version of a benevolent dictator working to make a better world. The Wildcats are poised to try and stop him, but some refugees ask to go to Hawaii as living where they are is too much of a struggle, so a truce is called. The WU has my interest with Wildcats, Authority and Stormwatch PHD. The back-up was okay with Lynch pulling together Team Seven.

Teen Titans #62 – Writer Sean McKeever, Pencils Eddy Barrows, Inks Ruy Jose, Colors Rod Reis. This is the first issue of the Titans in a long time that I enjoyed as much as I did. The cover showing Wonder Dog had me groaning as I was started to read it. Add to that the issue focused on Wendy and Marvin (I believe the Wonder Twins from a DC cartoon of years ago made over to be part of the TT support staff) and I know this issue was going to be hard to take. So when Wonder Dog turns out to be some sort of beast that changes into a giant killing dog thing and Marvin and Wendy get torn up (hopefully dead) I was pretty happy. I have no clue who that armored guy at the end is, but it was his dog. So not only did Marvin and Wendy maybe bite the dust, I’m looking forward to next issue to see who this bad guy is and why he is after the Teen Titans.

Justice Society of America #18 – Story Geoff Johns and Alex Ross, Writer Geoff Johns, Pencils Dale Eaglesham, Inks Mick Gray, Kris Justice & Nathan Massengill, Earth-2 Sequences Jerry Ordway, Colors Hi-Fi. So Lance Corporal David Reid, the great grand-son of President Roosevelt gets turned into Magog. I thought this character had little use being part of the JSA, so his being turned into Magog is a nice touch. Gog is still roaming around Earth fixing everything. The JSA is finding out that the “cures” some have been given are not always a good thing. Power Girl is stranded on another Earth and trying to find her way home. Finally the JSA is starting to fracture a little as the disagreement about Gog continues. I’m enjoying the story and the large cast, but the pace of this book is too slow and it is hurting it.

Anna Mercury #3 (of 5) – Writer Warren Ellis, Art Facundo Percio, Colors Paul Duffield. This was a “balls to the wall” all out action issue as Anna has to pull out all the stops to stop the big cannon on the moon. To do some of the stunts she needs to do she utilizes almost of her energy and has to “boomerang” back to our planet. She successfully makes it back, changes out of her Anna Mercury gear, showers and walks out onto the streets of London looking very much like an ordinary pretty woman. This issue was a quick and easy read and a surprisingly quite ending that revealed more about who Anna really is.

Superman #679 – Writer James Robinson, Pencils Renato Guedes, Inks Wilson Magalhaes, Colors Hi-Fi. This was a total battle issue where Superman gets his clock cleaned by Atlas. Sugergirl tries to come and help but is knocked out by some sort of beam from a satellite or something. We see a mysterious stranger show up and disappear and we see Lana Lang get fired from Lex Corp. Then the end was cool and amusing at the same time as Krypto shows up to tangle with Atlas.

Doktor Sleepless #8 – Writer Warren Ellis, Aret Ivan Rodriquez, Color Greg Waller. Okay this issue we get a lot of information and as always we are not sure 100% if what we are being told is true or not. Doktor Sleepless tells his ex-girl friend Sing what he is doing and why he is doing it. He says he is trying to end the world so that he can screw up the food chain. He has determined that a higher dimensional beast ate his parents and that is what killed them and we are just part of Heaven’s food chain. The police officer who investigated the case said it was double suicide and that the boy (a young Doktor Sleepless) found them and he must have never been able to sleep again. So is Doktor Sleepless just a crazed genius trying to destroy the world or is that what he wants the world to believe. Regardless we did learn that as with many comic characters the death of his parents was a defining moment in shaping the person.

DC Universe Last Will and Testament #1 – Writer Brad Meltzer, Art Adam Kubert, Inks John Dell & Joe Kubert, Colors Alex Sinclair. I thought this was a good story. The story of Geo-Force going after Deathstroke for revenge of what happened to his sister as the end of the world approaches was well done. The artwork was outstanding and boy can you tell when Joe Kubert inked his son’s work. Joe has a very distinctive style and he and Adam made a great team. One of Brad’s strongest and weakest points in comics is his love and reverence for the characters themselves. Often that can work against him, but in the setting of the night before the world ends it played out to perfection. What I could not get over was some of the odd choices and the fact that this did not tie neatly into Final Crisis. First off they never even call it a Final Crisis cross-over, but unless some other world ending event is happening it has to be that. In some ways I feel like a missed a part of Final Crisis that has lead to everyone acting the way they were. Next I have not followed Geo-Force’s every move and adventure (who could as he never has had his own book), but I was unaware of some of what he was talking about with what Deathstroke had supposedly done to him. It was a little strange to learn so much so fast about Geo-Force, but in one issue Brad made Brion a better character then he had ever been before and hopefully this will be picked up on in the future. Finally Deathstroke comes close to be a little over used as the ultimate bad guy inside of the DCU. I sort of take him to be the flip side of Batman and Captain America combined and that makes him a good bad guy to use, but lately Green Arrow and now Geo-Force have beaten him. Bottom line this was a very good read and would have worked even better for me if Final Crisis had been more of a direct lead in to it.

Catwoman #82 – Writer Will Pfeifer, Pencils David Lopez, Inks Alvaro Lopez, Colors Jeromy Cox. A nice wrap up issue. Catwoman leads Batman on a chase. Batman tries to reason with her and get at the bottom of what is bothering her and ultimately with a confrontation with Batman understands what it is. Batman tells her she could have been taken care of and that she and Helena could have been given a safe place to live together. Ultimately Selina choose to give her baby up. Catwoman goes a little nuts, but agrees that she is what she is. The end was beautiful as Selina finally pulls one over on Batman and steals the Batmobile and drives off into the night. A nice end to what has really been an outstanding series. Thanks to Will, David, Alvaro and Jeromy.

Ultimate Spider-Man #125 – Writer Brian Bendis, Pencils Stuart Immonen, Inks Wade von Grawbadger, Colors Justin Ponsor. This issue jumps around a little too much in the time line and I’m not sure what purpose it served to break up the story line that way. Still we find out that Eddie is being held by Trask with the intent of getting the parasite off Eddie so Trask can study and profit from it. The Beetle shows up and sets Venom free after he took a sample or something from it. Venom goes after the Beetle and Spider-Man intervenes and then Venom takes over Spider-Man. I’m not sure what my reaction is to this arc yet, as the ending will determine if it is any good or not. The plus is this is my Spider-Man now since I have dropped Amazing since OMD.

Blue Beetle #30 – Writer Matthew Sturges, Art Rafael Albuouerque, Colors Guy Major. This was another strong issue of Blue Beetle. The new writer Matthew Sturges has really captured the essence of the character very well. Jamie is trying to find the four super powered illegal immigrants to find out who is behind this new drug. As he fights them his suit gives him lethal options which he refuses to lose and eventually he wins the day. The problem is they were dying anyway and now Blue Beetle does not know how to save them. In this one issue he shows heroic morals, yet still does not have all the answers which to me fits a teen-age super hero.

Vix #2 (of 3) – Writer Rantz Hoseley, Art Matthew Humphreys. I was all set to drop this book and almost did not even read it, but now I want to see #3 and I’m a little ticked as the Shadowline brand under Image does three issue try outs and you never get a full story. This issue we see Celeste is struggling with these strange powers she has received. She is trying to work it out with her girl friend Tat. While in school these men attack her classroom and she has to use her powers to save everyone. Unfortunately her teacher was hurt and as he is dying he tells her she is the “chosen one” that is to lead the world to the light. He also tells her that her mother knows about what is going on as she gave Celeste to them. This has some heavy Christian overtones, teen-age angst, mysteries, super powers and high tech bad guys. The artwork is cartoonish and a little uneven in spots, but solid overall. I’ve gone from who cares about this series to I hope to heck that 3 issues is not all we ever see of this story.

Caliber #5 (of 5) Writer Sam Sakar, Art Garrie Gastonny, Colors Imaginary Friends Studio. – I enjoyed this series, but at times I felt a little lost. I’m not sure if that was because I wasn’t reading it close enough or because the cast was a little too big for a five story arc. Still it ended up with Arthur instead of the King is the new Sheriff. I wish I was a little more knowledgeable about the Arthur legend as I think the more I know the better the series would be. The art was well done as always but having Brad Pitt’s face be used for Lancelot was distracting. Photo referencing is fine, but don’t go so realistic, use the reference, but make it your own. If you missed this series, pick up the trade as it will be worth your time.

Brit #8 – Writer Bruce Brwon, Art Nate Bellegarde, Bearkdowns Andy Kuhn, Colors FCO Plascencia. This is a funny series for me. I’m not deeply vested in the book, I’m not really that in love with the characters, the new artist style is a little wonky and yet I’m still with it after 8 issues. This issue Brit is trying to reconcile with his wife (don’t even ask why) and after getting sidetracked with an adventure with his sister (that was somehow reminiscent of the odd space aliens side bar in the Life of Brian) we see his baby boy is apparently not really human. Now I have to find out what the heck is going on here and I’m sucked into yet another issue. This book is slowly winning me over as a fun series with all its odd quirks that just seems to work.

X-Men Legacy #215 – Writer Mike Carey, Pencils Scot Eaton, Inks Andrew Hennessy, Rogue Scenes Pencils and Inks Marco Checchetto, Colors Frank D’Armata, Rogue Colors Jean-Francois Beaulieu. Damn if the X-books are not going to force me to drop every time title being produced. . This issue is supposedly part of X-Men Manifest Destiny, yet the next issue which is part 2 of this story is not listed as Manifest Destiny. I have no clue what Manifest Destiny is and see no reason to find out. It did not seem to impact this issue at all. Then in two issues this book is part of a cross-over with X-Men Original Sin and we have to pick up two issues of Wolverine Origins to get the whole story. On top of that this confrontation between Cyclops and Professor X is just nuts as apparently Scott hates the Professor for all the things he did to them over the years. I guess I missed a book where he admitted he mind controlled them or something. The 45 year history of these characters is weighing them down so badly it is insane. For some reason they can’t move on with new characters, so the history of these characters grow and become so convoluted that it is impossible to follow. Not off this book yet, but getting close to canning this and then Astonishing X-Men also.

Contract #2 (of 3) – A series that is out to have fun and is set in a Fifth Element type future. See my full review here.

Wolverine #68 – Writer Mark Millar, Pencils Steve McNiven, Inks Dexter Vines, Colors Morry Hollowell. Okay I’m trying to approach this series as an Elseworlds type tale but it still just feels wrong. The only reason I’m reading the book now is to see what event made Wolverine decide to never fight back again. For the center of a person to change, the event must have been dramatic and we have not been told that event. This issue Hawkeye goes to save his daughter (Spider-Woman?) from the Kingpin. He saves her and she kills the Kingpin because she wants to take over the territory. The issue ends with Logan revving up the Spider-Mobile engine to go and try and save Hawkeye from his daughter. If it wasn’t for Steve McNiven’s artwork this book would be canceled.

Nova #16 – Writer Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils Wellingotn Alves & Geraldo Burges, Inks Scott Hanna, Colors GurueFx. Another one of my favorite Marvel series is being attacked by Secret Invasion. I really hate this crap especially in a book that has been as good as Nova. Nova has lost the worldmind and is coping with that and gets pulled into the Secret Invasion. Abnett & Lanning are making work as well as possible. This series has been derailed by Annihilation Conquest and now Secret Invasion. The book is only on issue #16, I want Marvel to let it fly on its own

Gravel #4 – Story/Script Warren Ellis, Script Mike Wolfer, Art Oscar Jimenez, Colors Juanmar. They really mixed it up this issue. So far the first three issues was Gravel killing people in the Minor Seven to get chapters of this book. Last issue one member gave him the chapter to save his life. This issue a member (Royston) shows up at Gravel’s door with the intent to kill Gravel and take the chapters of the book. Royston has trained some new acolytes to also be Combat Magicians. After a long battle Gravel kills all of Royston’s henchmen and Royston. This book needs more a twist to it as it is becoming a one note story.

Immortal Iron Fist #18 – Writer Duane Swierczynski, Art Travel Foreman, Russ heath Pages 1-4, Colors Matt Milla. I liked that when Danny was getting his a** kicked by the killer of Iron Fists, he called in Collen, Misty and Luke. That type of stuff just makes sense. Danny after escaping with his life is now trying to determine how Orson Rand succeeded in avoiding his death at the hands of this guy. It is also apparent that Iron Fist’s life and the the dragon Shou-Lan’s life cycles are tied together in some fashion. The new creative team is doing a good job keeping Iron Fist as a decent read.

Reign in Hell #2 (of 8) – Writer Keith GiffenPencils Tom Derenick, Inks Bill Sienkiewicz, Colors Mike Atiyeh. Back-Up Writer Keith Giffen, Art Stephen Jorge Segovia, Colors Dan Brown. This was a decent issue, but due to the structure of an eight part series this issue was a lot of the mystics of the DCU deciding what to do about the war in hell and some people are picking sides. The Dr. Occult back-up has him in hell looking for his counter part Rose.

Secret History of the Authority Jack Hawksmoor #6 (of 6) – Writer Mike Costa, Art Fiona Staples. This was a nice solid six issue mini-series that gave us some back story on Jack and gave us a solid adventure. Jack, the King of Cities, beats the God of Cities from the 70th Century by taking him out of the city. This was a solid wrap up to this mini-series and in fact is one of three mini-series that ended on high notes this week. The only glitch for me is when we flashback to the framing sequence that started issue #1 and I had totally forgotten the story had started in a present day setting with Jack and the rest of the Authority fighting some huge bad guy.

Jack of Fables #25 – Writers Bill Willingham & Matt Sturges, Pencils Russ Braun, Inks Joes Marzan & Steve Leialoha, Colors Daniel Vozzo. This issue we are back in current continuity and we focus on the Page sisters, whose sterling reputations have been hurt by Jack in various ways. The crux of the plot for this issue is the Bookburner is coming to Golden Boughs. If he succeeds in burning all the books the Fables would be destroyed. In a starling twist Jack decides to stay and fight the Bookburner to become a hero. You know this can’t be right.
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New Avengers #44 – Writer Brian Bendis, Pencils Billy Tan, Inks Matt Banning, Colors Justin Ponsor. This issue we get the story of who came up with the technology to allow the skrulls to go undetected and it was Reed Richards. Well not Reed Richards, but one of his many clones that the skrulls made until they could find a way to make him give them the formula for the idea. I need to write a separate post soon about what is wrong with Secret Invasion. It had a great premise and a fun idea, but like any comic book logic idea, the more you try to explain it, the less sense it makes. Comics have many fanciful ideas that just work better by leaving it alone and believing that a man can fly. This story made the whole event worse by explaining it.

Mighty Avengers #17 - Writer Brian Bendis, Pencils Khoi Pham, Inks Danny Miki and Andy Lanning, Colors Dean White. So the back story we get this issue is that Henry Pym has to be duplicated more then once, because Henry Pym’s mind continues to influence whoever tries to be made into Pym. That was it, really, nothing else. Oh a 22 page adventure was put around the concept as Dum Dum Dugan (also a skrull) has to kill a Henry Pym who had gone rogue and wanted to call off the invasion, but that was it.

Haunt of Horror Lovercraft #3 (of 3) – Adapted by Rich Corben. This series was appropriately creepy and just flat out great looking. Corben’s art style is all is own and he puts so much amazing detail into his work that it is incredible to behold. Using his ability and matching it with Lovecraft is a natural pairing. I especially enjoyed that that actual stories and poems used as inspiration were part of this package. Corben’s work has been everywhere lately and I’m happy to see his work around again. Now maybe someone will take some of his best older work and do a nice hard cover collection.

Newuniversal Conqueror – Writer Simon Spurrier, Art Eric Nguyen, Colors John Rauch. This was a decent read and an interesting tale of another White Event that occurred in 2689 BC. I guess it gives us the idea that things don’t always go right and the BC Nightmask wanted to be running everything. This history issue was interesting, but was not a direct impact to the modern day series. Also the regular series has had so many problems that I’m losing interest. It was suppose to be a 12 issue series, then it became two six parts series with a long gap between them and now the second half of the series has been slow to come out.

Black Panther #40 – Writer Jason Aaron, Jefte Palo, Colors Lee Loughridge. If this wasn’t over in one more issue I’d drop it already. Let’s talk about the artwork first. While Palo has some good qualities his penchant for drawing impossibly huge tops of these Super Skrulls with ridiculous little squat legs was a distraction. Also his full page panel of Ororo has her with the body of a well built man with a chest; I had to look twice to make sure I knew it was Ororo. The actual fight was insane also as a super skrull was made with all the fighting styles of various heroes (apparently skills are genetic now) and the Panther takes him down by discovering his weakness. Then a group of super powered mash-ups show up and the Panther is beating then with his sword. At the end of the issue the Panther is downed by a taser wielding skrull who had infiltrated the Panther’s troops. What no insulated costume, no Panther hearing to know who was creeping up on him and let’s not even mention the swipe at how western colonization prevented the great African civilization from every rising up (the line is in the previously front page). Oh by the way Egypt is on the African continent and was a great Civilization.

Thunderbolts #123 – Writer Christos Gage, Art Fernando Blanco, Colors Frank Martin. Good thing Andy Diggle is coming on this book or I would drop it right now. This Secret Invasion cross over is just not working in my opinion and was horribly forced in right after Ellis’ run which had really set up a good status quo. With Ellis and Deodato both living this book has taken a terrible hit and the SI stuff is a third strike.

Teen Titans Year One #6 (of 6) – Writer Amy Wolfram, Pencils Karl Kerschl, Inks Serge Lapointe, Colors John Rauch. The best thing about this book was the artwork. While Aqualad certainly had an odd look, the rest of the art team look good and seemed close to age appropriate. The actual story itself was okay, but ultimately meaningless. This will be a decent all age read and be a solid trade with some evergreen potential.

Ambush Bug Year None #2 (of 6) – Plotter & Penciller Keith Giffen, Script Robert Loren Fleming, Inks Al Milgrom, Colors Guy Major. The first issue was pretty funny and this issue almost missed the mark totally. It was almost random and most of the jokes missed the mark for me. Comedy books and Ambush Bug in particular has always been hit or miss and issue #2 was a miss.

I’m trying to reduce my comments down to just a few sentences on each book as I know no one is reading all of these comments. Also I’m trying to do more spotlight reviews and especially on new #1s then may go under the radar.

What I’m Getting Thursday

As you saw on Sunday we have added a new member to our group and Thomm will be our Sunday blogger. The amount of time it takes to put out a blog posting everyday is tremendous and hopefully the time and effort we put into the blog shows. I would never envision us have a lot of members but at least with four it allows us to put a little more time into our various posts.

I have a long commentary coming up in a couple of weeks that addresses what I think is the changing nature of the industry. It took awhile but the digital revolution is going to start hitting the industry in a big way and if that component is not a part of your marketing plan you may have serious problems in growing or starting your business as a publisher and a retailer.

Adam Strange Special #1 – I have always loved this character but he is far removed from the thinking man’s hero of old. I wish someone would find a way to bring him back to his roots. The company line “A RANN/THANAGAR: HOLY WAR tie-in! After narrowly escaping a deadly blast, Adam Strange finds himself spiraling through the timestream, forced to relive the past and helpless to watch as his future unravels before his very eyes. Will he be able to pull himself together to rejoin the Holy War?”

Authority #2 – The post apocalyptic Wildstorm Universe has been enjoyable for the most part and I’m actually paying attention to the WU. We have yet to see what has happened to Jenny Quark and The Doctor. The hype “The Authority — or what's left of them — struggle to survive in their harsh new environment. As if the daily struggle to continue living in this devastated world wasn't enough, things take a turn for the worse when a ragtag army of vicious psychopaths approach the Carrier — led by the Eidolon! Are the Authority capable of handling this new threat?”

Detective Comics #848 – This has not been directly related to RIP, but the origin story of Hush has been enjoyable so far. I appreciated the way Paul Dini brought the Scarecrow into Tommy’s early years. The word “A "Batman: R.I.P." tie-in! "Heart of Hush" Part 3 of 5! To save the sanity of a kidnapped child, Batman must confront the Scarecrow! But their battle is just a part of Hush's plot against Batman and Bruce Wayne, setting the stage for the most shocking surprise ending of the year! Guest-starring Catwoman!”

El Diablo #1 (of 6) – This book I’m coming into with mixed expectations. Of course any twisting and changing of an old concept is going to be met with questions, especially if you like the original. The hype “The haunted horseman returns to the DCU in a six-issue miniseries! Who is Chato Santana? A ruthless ganglord or a modern-day Robin Hood? Caught between the law and a power struggle in his gang, Chato meets Lazarus Lane, an impossibly old man with a possessed past. Witness this tale of rebirth, revenge, betrayal, justice, Hell, comeuppance, curses, and consequences.”

Fables #75 – This is the issue that I’m most anxious to read. Willingham has shown that he will shake things up and not just try to ride out success and has promised major changes with this issue. The company line “Have you ever read those new-comics blurbs that promise things like, "After this issue nothing will ever be the same again," but you know in a few months none of those so-called big events will have mattered? Well, this isn't one of those times. This time when we say FABLES will never be the same again after this issue, that's a promise you can take to the bank. So, without further ado: After this issue of FABLES, nothing will ever be the same again. Oh, and someone dies.”

Green Lantern #34 – This book has been on such an incredible streak and so consistently well done that my expectations are always high for this book. The word “The penultimate chapter of "Secret Origin"! Hal Jordan and Sinestro face off against Abin Sur's killer - Atrocitus! But what dark secret has Atrocitus uncovered about the impending "Blackest Night?" And what revelation will forever change the relationship between Hal and Carol Ferris?”

Hellblazer Presents Chas the Knowledge #3 (of 5) - This series focusing on Chas has been well done and surprising. None of the typical heroics and the writer shows a willingness to paint his central character in a realistic light amidst the unreality of demons running around in London. The company line “Those who forget history...Well, let's just say that some parts of the past are better left buried. London is about to learn that lesson the hard way – but John Constantine has picked a bad time to go the beach. And the one man who could unlock the mysteries of "The Knowledge," Francis "Chas" Chandler, is having enough trouble solving the puzzle of his own middle-aged life.”

House of Mystery #5 – Between this book and Madam Xandu Vertigo has two new series that are knocking it out of the park for me. I look forward to each issue of these new series. What’s inside “Part 5 of "Room and Boredom." In the extremely destructive conclusion to the first story arc, Fig Keele has literally brought down the House, but couldn't she have waited until everyone got out alive first? Plus: Sean Murphy illustrates "Jordan's Tale," in which the world's worst storyteller relates an anecdote involving vampire cats.”

Invasion TP – I decided to pick this up on a whim. The actual mini-series if memory serves does only okay as a stand-alone book as it was another “event” book from years past. The trade contains “The massive 3-issue miniseries from 1988 is collected for the first time! In this universe- spanning saga, the deadly but emotionless Dominators have come to Earth to wipe out the threat posed by metahumans. But what is the real reason for their attack?”

Jonah Hex #35 – Hard to believe this book is almost three years old. I would have bet against any western lasting that long in today’s market, especially published under the DCU banner and not a Vertigo book. Quality can sometimes keep a series going even in a super hero driven market. The hype “Featuring spectacular art by J.H. Williams III (PROMETHEA)! Jonah Hex joins a posse hunting a gang of murderous outlaws, but when the guns fall silent, Hex finds himself faced with a peculiar proposition, as a marshal named Roth and his pretty young wife invite Hex for the strangest dinner of his life.”

Manhunter #34 – The revival of this title has been a good one so far. I’m a little concerned because I don’t know if DC pushed it enough to get higher sales numbers on this book as it was always on the border of being cancelled before. The word “It's a duel in the desert as Manhunter and the Birds of Prey allies find themselves up against the Suicide Squad – and a truly twisted notion of national security!”

Nightwing #148 – This series under Peter Tomasi has become a strong series again. Hard to believe this series is now 12 plus years old. What’s inside “A "Batman: R.I.P." tie-in! Nightwing's been shot by an assassin! How can he save the life of Harvey Dent's former lover before the killer returns to finish the job…and before he bleeds to death? Will Nightwing find sanctuary in the Batcave, or will Batman's recent disappearance lead to an even bigger mystery?”

Secret Six #1 – I’m very happy to see this series and curious to see what Gail can do with this book as an ongoing series. It is nice to see that a series can have mini-series and be a strong enough concept to graduate to an ongoing series. The hype “Because you demanded it! The Secret Six are back in an all-new ongoing series that promises to deliver some of the darkest, most twisted action-adventure the DC Universe has seen since...well, the last time the Secret Six got together! Writer extraordinaire Gail Simone (BIRDS OF PREY) is reunited with BIRDS penciller Nicola Scott to chronicle the adventures of the Six, and you will not believe what they have in store. Join Catman, Scandal, Deadshot, Ragdoll, and ?? as they prepare for an adventure that will take them through a gauntlet across the seediest parts of the DC Universe, and will ultimately pit them against a foe more monstrous and murderous than any they've had to face! Don't miss the beginning of the most ferocious and scandalous Six story yet!”

Showcase Presents Superman Volume 4 – This is the type of stuff I really have no business in buying because it will take me forever and a day to get around to reading it again. Still some of the classic sixties material with the creators of that era is hard for me to say no to. This volume contains “Written by Jerry Siegel, Edmond Hamilton, Leo Dorfman and others; Art by Curt Swan, George Klein, Al Plastino and others; Cover by Swan and Klein. Collecting stories from ACTION COMICS #293-310 and SUPERMAN #157-167."

Storming Paradise #3 (of 6) – This alternative history has been great so far. I like the concept in fiction of changing one major event and then play out what you think may have happened. Not dropping the A-Bomb can be a more realistic scenario as plans were in place for an invasion of Japan if needed. The word “Operation Olympus gains a foothold on the beaches of Japan at a deadly cost. As the bombs fall, Japan's citizens fight for their lives in a desperate battle that quickly turns to slaughter. Could the secret arrival of a Third Reich U-boat mean a setback for the invasion?”

Supergirl #33 – This is just waiting for Sterling Gates to show up now and start to tie this convoluted disaster wreck of a series into the main Superman books. Hell they should cancel it and re-launch it. The company line “Coming off the most devastating decision of her young career, Supergirl finds herself at a crossroads. Is she worthy of the "S" she wears? Can she involve herself in the affairs of humans again after misusing her powers so badly? Enter the Empress (of YOUNG JUSTICE fame), who has a whole different perspective on the matter!”

Titans #4 – Another DCU train wreck. This issue is so delayed that I’m almost positive it had to be re-written as the original issue #4 was scrapped. I love the DCU, but this type of mismanagement is going to make me move on really quick. The hype “The conclusion of the team's first adventure features the return of their deadliest foe and the sacrifice of one of the Titans! Will the Sons of Trigon live up to their father's expectations?”

Tor #5 – Joe Kubert has done a Sgt. Rock mini-series and is now wrapping up a Tor mini-series, I would love to see him do a Hawkman mini-series next. The word “Captured and bound, Tor's fate rests in the hands of a jealous Shaman. A sacrifice might succeed in delivering the tribe of hairy men from evil, but it will definitely deliver Tor and his allies straight into the mouths of hungry forest spirits!”

Trinity #14 – My mini-crisis every week since I have come to rely on the company hype to provide some information on each title that is coming out that is on my list. This book contains almost every hero in the DCU and has been a true masterpiece of consistency and quality. Ultimately this book is a good read each and every week, not the best book coming out, but a very good book that is delivering week in and week out.

Noble Causes #36 – I was shocked to read that this series is coming to an end. I’m sorry that I was not part of a big enough group who jumped on after that did a soft re-boot by jumping ahead five years. The Faeberverse is getting a little smaller. Maybe they can try again with a new #1 in a couple of years. The hype “The Nobles are attacked from all sides, as they finally come face-to-face with the traitor in their ranks. But is there more than one traitor…?”

Roberts #1 (of 2) – I’m never sure why you would do a two issue mini-series anymore. In my mind you are only killing yourself as sales can only drop from one issue to the next. I would release half the book online and then release the entire book as an oversized comic or small trade or whatever you want to call it. What’s inside “The Boston Strangler and the Zodiac Killer are alive and well, living amongst the old and dying of The Shady Lane Retirement Center. Surrounded by bingo tournaments and tea times, these two notorious serial killers quietly trade "war stories" about their golden years, two seemingly parallel pasts filled with violence and victims.”

End League #4 – I thought I had read Mat Broome was having a hard time keeping up with his deadline as his day job took up the bulk of his time. Then I read that he is doing a Marvel mini-series. This series is close to being canceled by me as the lag between issues is too long. The company line “Hopeless, trapped between the forces of the Smiling Man, the brutal Nazi warlord Wolfsangel, and the soul-possessing Scarecrow Sinister, the surviving members of The End League find themselves at the mercy of the man they cast from their ranks--the mysterious Black. Meanwhile, Prairie Ghost makes a deal for salvation with the dark scientists of the Devil's Addition!”

UPDATE : I received an e-mail from Mat Broome correcting what I had remembered reading. "I left the book after they wanted to take it to a monthly instead of a book every 2 months because it wasn't what we originally discussed for the books schedule. I was busy with another project at the time in the dot-com space focused on comics and new properties so there was an issue with the schedule. So rather than get the book behind I left and signed a contract with Marvel after the new project was ready to go." - Thanks Mat

Challenger Deep #1 (of 4) – All of a sudden I realize what an impossible job BOOM’s marketing director has with this company in an industry that thrives on ongoing series. BOOM is a publisher of stories and most companies are a publisher of characters and ongoing series or concepts. Every month BOOM is rolling out at least one new mini-series and that has to be sold to the wider market with no preset fan base. The hype “When an experimental nuclear submarine is marooned in a deposit of methane ice deep in the Marianas Trench, an elite salvage team mounts a daring rescue to prevent an explosive chain reaction that could lead to global disaster! From the creator of the hit Sci-Fi Channel show EUREKA!”

High Rollers #2 (of 4) – I enjoyed the first issue. This is a modern day crime drama. The company line “Crime does pay! In this pulse-pounding issue, CQ moves up the ranks with a power maneuver that makes Tony Soprano’s machinations look like child’s play. Critically acclaimed mystery novelist Gary Phillips (HIGH HAND, BANGERS) shows you the L.A. underworld you only thought you knew!”

Necronomicon #1 (of 4) – The company line “In last month's Cthulu Tales #5, Mark Waid seeded clues and hints to the scope of BOOM!'s new "horrorverse". Now that the Necronomicon has been opened, writer William Messner-Loebs brings you the next chapter as he reveals the origins of the forbidden book of legend--and how its catastrophic influence will soon spread over the BOOM! line of titles! Cover by J.K. Woodward.” I’m going in with no expectations as it as been a long time since I have seen Messner-Loebs work in comics.

Dead of Night Devil Slayer #1 (of 4) – I’m almost always willing to take a chance on a mini-series, even with a character I hardly remember. Still at $4 an issue it is easy to drop if it is less then stellar. The hype “Abandoned by his fiance, his family, his church, and his government, Sergeant Dan Sylva returns to Iraq for a third tour of duty -- and a descent into Hell itself. If the demon Belathauzer and the mysterious mercenary group known as Bloodstone have their way, Iraq, the place where civilization began, may also be where civilization ends. The reinvented Devil-Slayer takes Marvel's DEAD OF NIGHT to terrifying new heights, from award-winning horror novelist Brian Keene (The Rising, Dark Hollow) and artist Chris Samnee (DAREDEVIL: BLOOD OF THE TARANTULA)!”

Sub-Mariner Depths #1 (of 5) – This sounds like it should be interesting and since it is out of continuity it can be something that stands on its own. The word “The latest offering from the red-hot Marvel Knights line offers a searing vision of Namor, the Sub-Mariner as you've never seen, brought to you by Peter Milligan (X-FORCE) and Esad Ribic (SILVER SURFER: REQUIEM)! Atlantis. Throughout the ages, a few men have wondered if this fabulous place actually exists. Fewer have imagined that the city is protected by a wild and vengeful being, the very embodiment of the untameable depths themselves -- the Sub-Mariner. When a deep sea expedition mysteriously vanishes without a trace near the Marianes trench, legendary adventurer, Randolph Stein embarks on a journey that will rock him -- and his crew -- to their very core. Travelling deep into the dark belly of the sea, the men of the good ship, Voyager, are about to see things that defy description, that supersede their wildest imagination -- things that men aren't meant to see. Staring into the abyss, Stein will soon discover that the abyss can indeed stare right back at him.”

Universal War One #3 (of 3) – I have enjoyed this series so much that I hate to see that it is already over. What’s inside “The English adaptation of the European best-seller continues! When THE WALL appeared, it cut the solar system in half. It was vast. Dark. Unfathomable. The Purgatory squadron managed to break through, but only at the cost of one of their own. And when the survivors destroy the Wall, they disappear along with it. In the heart of their sci-fi odyssey, destiny will give them a chance to rewrite their own dark histories. Could they undo the events that led to the First Universal War?”

After last week almost any list would be a break. At least with the holiday I had an extra day to read last week’s books. As time goes by I have to rethink my DC list as I never seem to catch a week off with them. The flip side of that equation is Vertigo and Wildstorm is included with DC and that drives up the number of books.